• Research
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie India logoCarnegie lettermark logo
{
  "authors": [
    "Sharon Squassoni"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "NPP",
  "programs": [
    "Nuclear Policy",
    "South Asia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Pakistan"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Nuclear Policy"
  ]
}

Source: Getty

In The Media

Assessing Pakistan's Nuclear Plant Accident

Link Copied
By Sharon Squassoni
Published on Apr 9, 2008

Source: BBC World Service Newshour

In response to reports of an explosion at the Khushab nuclear facility in Pakistan, Carnegie’s Sharon Squassoni says that because the heavy water reactor at the facility produces plutonium for the country’s nuclear weapons program, issues of nuclear safety are opaque.

“Pakistan has taken some steps since 2001 to increase transparency in its civilian nuclear program and it is a signatory to the Convention on Nuclear Safety,” she said, “but none of those apply to its military program, so in many respects we are in the dark.”

mp3
Podcast - Download mp3 audio of the broadcast.

About the Author

Sharon Squassoni

Former Senior Associate, Nuclear Policy Program

Squassoni came to Carnegie from the Congressional Research Service. She also served for nine years in the executive branch. Her last position at the State Department was director of Policy Coordination in the Nonproliferation Bureau.

    Recent Work

  • Other
    Grading Progress on 13 Steps Toward Nuclear Disarmament

      Sharon Squassoni

  • Report
    Nuclear Energy: Rebirth or Resuscitation?

      Sharon Squassoni

Sharon Squassoni
Former Senior Associate, Nuclear Policy Program
Sharon Squassoni
Nuclear PolicyPakistan

Carnegie India does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie India

  • Article
    Military Lessons from Operation Sindoor

    The India-Pakistan conflict that played out between May 6 and May 10, 2025, offers several military lessons. This article presents key takeaways from Operation Sindoor and breaks down how India’s preparations shaped the outcome and what more is needed to strengthen future readiness.

      Dinakar Peri

  • Book
    Violence and Development Along the India-Pakistan Border in Jammu and Kashmir

    This book examines the impact of cross-border violence on communities living along the Line of Control and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

      Deep Pal, Surya Valliappan Krishna, Saheb Singh Chadha

  • Commentary
    Indian Airstrikes in Pakistan: May 7, 2025

    On May 7, 2025, between 1:05 and 1:30 a.m. (IST), airstrikes carried out by the Indian Air Force hit nine locations inside Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). It was codenamed Operation Sindoor.

      Rudra Chaudhuri

  • Commentary
    Drone Intrusions Along the India-Pakistan International Border: Countering an Emerging Threat

    Over the last three years, drone intrusions along the India-Pakistan International Border have increased. This commentary describes the nature of this new threat and outlines countermeasures deployed by the Indian security establishment so far.

      Surya Valliappan Krishna, Ashima Singh

  • Commentary
    Mental Health on the Line (of Control)

    The violence on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) has significantly harmed the mental health of the border communities over the past two decades. Given this, the current interval of peace should be utilized to develop and shore up the mental health resources in the border areas.

      Surya Valliappan Krishna, Saheb Singh Chadha

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie India
Carnegie India logo, white
Unit C-4, 5, 6, EdenparkShaheed Jeet Singh MargNew Delhi – 110016, IndiaPhone: 011-40078687
  • Research
  • About
  • Experts
  • Projects
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie India
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.